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Kerala Premier League Roundup: Matchday 8 [13/04-27/04]

By Nehal on 28th April 2019

Stojanovic hanging in the back… [Kerala Blasters Reserves team photo ahead of the clash against Indian Navy]Picture Credit: Kerala Blasters Media

Kerala Blasters [R] are through to the semi-finals from Group A; RFC Kochi, SAT Tirur and Indian Navy are all in contention for the second semi spot from Group A; Group B semi-finalists are Gokulam Kerala FC and FC Kerala.

Kerala Blasters [R] are through to the semi-finals

Kerala Blasters are through to the semi-finals of the Kerala Premier League 2018-19 after prevailing over Indian Navy in a keenly contested match in Kochi.

The hosts took the lead in the fourth minute with Satgouthang Konoung getting them in the lead. The Serbian forward Slaviša Stojanović scored in the 27th minute to double the advantage.

Indian Navy pulled a goal back in the 41st minute through Hari Krishna as the teams went into the half-time break.

However, Indian Navy couldn’t further make inroads into the Kerala Blasters’ defence and the match ended in favour of the home team. The Reserves are through to the semi-finals of the Kerala Premier League for the first time.

Group A Table

pos

team

p

w

d

l

gf

ga

gd

pts

1

Kerala Blasters [R]

7

5

0

2

13

11

+2

15

2

FC Thrissur

6

3

1

2

10

9

+1

10

3

RFC Kochi

7

3

0

4

11

10

+1

9

4

SAT Tirur

7

2

1

4

6

8

−2

7

5

Indian Navy

3

1

0

2

2

4

-2

3

GROUP B

FC Kerala won their last two fixtures to go through to the semi-final

Group B, 13 April 2019, Thrissur: FC Kerala 2-0 Golden Threads

The prolific Liberian Harry Morris scored a goal in either half (21′, 58′) to get FC Kerala within touching distance of the semi-final play-off spot. The win was vital for FC Kerala to go on par with Shooters United who finished the group stage with 13 points.

Group B, 15 April 2019, Thrissur: FC Kerala 4-2 Kovalam FC

The home side took the lead in the opening minute (Babble S Girish 1′), but they conceded two goals to Kovalam FC in the first half ( Beniston J 9′, Jaison J 24′).

Going into the second half, Kovalam FC looked like they were going to register their first win the league, but an impressive second half comeback by FC Kerala saw them win the match by 4-2. Raju Sohail Haque scored in the 76th to level the scores. Harry Morris got them in the lead in the 86th and Nikhil Raj scored a minute later to secure the semi-final spot.

Most of the FC Kerala players have been selected from open trials and it is commendable what they have achieved this season already. The only team they lost to in the group stage was Gokulam Kerala FC.